Bare
/bɛər/
adjectiveBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
3 meanings1
Not covered; exposed.
/bɛər/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
General
Uncovered; lacking clothing or covering.
The walls were bare.
💡 Simply: Without anything on it.
More Examples
2
He walked barefoot across the hot sand.
How It's Used
Everyday
"The trees stood bare in the winter."
2
Lacking; devoid of.
/bɛər/
adjectivenegativeBeginner
General
Lacking something essential.
The room was bare of furniture.
💡 Simply: Having nothing.
More Examples
2
His life was bare of joy.
How It's Used
Everyday
"The cupboard was bare."
Tip:Imagine a bare pantry – nothing to eat!
3
To uncover; to expose.
/bɛr/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To reveal or expose something.
He bared his soul to his friend.
💡 Simply: To make something visible.
More Examples
2
The storm bared the rocky coastline.
How It's Used
Literary
"The wind bared the ancient stones."
Tip:The wind bared the trees, revealing their branches.
From Old English *bær, meaning 'naked, uncovered'.
Historically, 'bare' was more commonly used to describe a lack of clothing.
Memory tip
Think of a bare tree in winter – no leaves!
Practice
bairbaer
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written